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Subscapularis Tears

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Shoulder Arthroscopy

Abstract

The subscapularis is the largest of the rotator cuff tendons and provides over 50 % of the rotator cuff force. Despite its conspicuous position in the anterior aspect of the glenohumeral joint, subscapularis tendon tears are likely both underreported and underappreciated. This is largely related to the difficulty in evaluating the subscapularis tendon both clinically and surgically (whether open or arthroscopic). The incidence of subscapularis tears, therefore, has varied in the literature but is estimated between 10 and 30 % of arthroscopic shoulder procedures. In general, tears of the subscapularis are less common than tears of the supraspinatus and partial tears are more common than complete tears. While subscapularis tears do occur in isolation, they more commonly occur in combination with other rotator cuff tears.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive, NW, Calgary, AB, T2N4Z7, Canada

    Ian K. Y. Lo MD, FRCSC

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  1. Ian K. Y. Lo MD, FRCSC
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Correspondence to Ian K. Y. Lo MD, FRCSC .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Roma, Italy

    Giuseppe Milano

  2. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Casa di Cura Villa Valeria, Rome, Roma, Italy

    Andrea Grasso

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag London

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Lo, I.K.Y. (2014). Subscapularis Tears. In: Milano, G., Grasso, A. (eds) Shoulder Arthroscopy. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5427-3_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5427-3_26

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-5427-3

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